They discussed the situation in Ukraine in the context of the decisions that will be taken at Wednesday’s European Council meeting in Brussels.

“The talks were filled with a sense of tragedy,” said Minister Sikorski. “After weeks of hope that the conflict will de-escalate, the situation has become even worse in certain regions.”

The stockpiling of arms for pro-Russian separatists, including heavy equipment and advanced surface-to-air missiles, whose sale is strictly limited under international law, represents the greatest concern.

The current security situation in Ukraine, the ratification and implementation of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, as well as bilateral issues were also discussed at the meeting.

Minister Radosław Sikorski said that he expects Ukraine to ratify the Association Agreement with the EU as soon as possible, as Moldova did. He also reassured his interlocutors that Poland will not procrastinate over the ratification of the agreement. The Ukrainian side presented the current stage of the implementation of its constitutional reform, including decentralisation and the fight against corruption.

The hosts thanked Minister Sikorski for Poland’s technical support in carrying out the devolution reform, specifically when it comes to drafting laws on a local self-government system similar to the one that had been introduced in Poland in the 90s.

Bilateral cooperation issues were also on the meeting’s agenda. Minister Sikorski thanked the Ukrainian side for partially lifting the ban on Polish pork imports, and expressed hope that the ban on Polish slaughter cattle and beef will be addressed soon.

Bringing to life the Polish-Ukrainian Youth Exchange Council in order to establish mutually beneficial systemic cooperation in this area, scholarships for students from eastern Ukraine, and support in increasing Ukraine’s mining industry security were among the other major topics raised during the meeting.